Movement of Agricultural Machinery

Pia Duxbury
Monday, 04 December 2017 13:36

Main Roads Western Australia has provided the following information on the movement of agricultural machinery. If you have any queries relating to this information contact Main Roads Western Australian at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or call 138 486.

FACT SHEET: Movement of Agricultural Machinery

There has been some misleading information circulating recently regarding alleged impacts on the agricultural industry resulting from the introduction of the Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence. The changes that take effect after 28 November 2017 will have no substantial impact on the agricultural industry as measures are in place to ensure continuance of the pragmatic approach to the movement of agricultural machinery which has been in place for a number of years.

The vast majority of the agricultural sector is aware there has never been a blanket exemption from the requirement for heavy vehicle pilots when moving agricultural machinery. There are, however, concessions whereby some machinery can be moved by a pilot (as opposed to an accredited pilot or heavy vehicle licensed pilot). The general rules around movement of agricultural machinery, which continue to be in place up to 28 November are summarised in the table below:

Pre November 2016 to 28 November 2017

Oversize Agricultural Vehicle

No Pilot Required

Pilot/s Required – Exemption from Pilot Accreditation

Accredited Pilot /s Required

≤3.7m Wide

X

>3.7m ≤6.0m Wide*Local Move Only

X

>3.7m ≤6.0m Wide

X

Vehicles greater than 6m wide require additional safety measures which may include traffic escort wardens as stated on the relevant permits.

In November 2016, legislation was introduced requiring all pilots to be licensed. This change was introduced following consultation with the WA transport and Pilot industries to assist in improving safety standards and the professional status of heavy vehicle pilots. A 12 month transition period was deployed to enable accredited pilots to become licensed with the transition period ending on 28 November 2017.

From 29 November 2017

Oversize Agricultural Vehicle

No Pilot Required

Agricultural Pilot

Licenced Pilot Required

≤3.7m Wide

X

>3.7m ≤6.0m Wide*Local Move Only

X

>3.7m ≤6.0m Wide

X

In order to ensure continuity of the practical approach adopted for movement of some agricultural machinery a Notice has been prepared and will be gazetted on 28 November. This Notice will authorise licensed drivers who are not licensed heavy vehicle pilots to drive pilot vehicles for the purpose of escorting some agricultural machinery.

The effect of the legislation relating to licensed heavy vehicle pilots combined with this Notice results in the general rules for movement of agricultural machinery as summarised in the table below:

Vehicles greater than 6m wide still require additional safety measures which may include traffic escort wardens as stated on the relevant permits.

There has therefore been no change in the requirements for safe movement of agricultural machinery.

*Local move: movement using primarily local government roads where the distance between the point of origin and the destination is no greater than 100km.